Gharabeeb Soud
Just as we had feared, Gharabeeb Soud (Black Crows) makes for some difficult viewing this Ramadan. With images of child soldiers being brainwashed and told how to kill in cold blood, of women used as concubines for the pleasure of the men of ISIL, of an army of disillusioned women being formed to "invade the Muslim world and take over their countries", the series is as dark and disturbing as anyone could have anticipated.
Set in Raqqa, a city east of Aleppo in Syria, which is today considered to be the capital of ISIL, the show is not solely dominated by the stories of females.
Child snipers are seen being trained on how to kill, and training involves actually killing people. Both children and women are abused; in the third episode in particular, young boys training to become soldiers are sexually abused by ISIL’s male members.
The filming itself is dark and grainy, in reverence to the subject matter, and one feels like a horror story is unfolding, which is made even more frightening when you realise that everything happening on screen is based on reality.
And kudos to Egyptian actor Sayed Ragab, who plays the role of the mufti of ISIL, often described in the show as the “Prince of Daesh”. He is absolutely and convincingly terrifying in the role. There’s no question where MBC stands on the spread of ISIL: it is pure evil and must be resisted.
• Airs daily at midnight on MBC and Abu Dhabi TV. It is also being broadcast on LBC and Future TV
Al Hayba
This is the third Ramadan in a row for the charismatic duo –Nadine Njeim from Lebanon and Taim Hasan from Syria – to appear in a drama together, following the success of Cello in 2015 and Nos Youm (Half a Day) last year.
Their projects always feature a mixed Syrian and Lebanese cast and crew, and are often based on an old Hollywood favourite. Cello, for example, was based on Indecent Proposal, a 1993 movie starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore.
Njeim plays the role of Alia, an educated, cultured and elegant Lebanese-Canadian whose husband has just died. Based on his final request to be buried in his hometown of Al Hayba, on the border between Lebanon and Syria, Alia travels back to Lebanon with her young son to bring her husband’s body to his family.
The head of the family, described as a ruling tribe of the area, is Jabal, played by Hasan.
The family is feared in the area; they are smugglers and deal with weapons trading.
When they learn of the existence of Alia’s son, they insist he must remain with his tribe. Alia is now faced with a difficult choice: to leave her son, or to be forced into marrying her dead husband’s brother, Jabal.
The show combines romance with drama, set in the mountains of Lebanon; it’s an impressive production and bonus.
It also stars Syrian actress Muna Wassef as the family matriarch.
• Airs daily on MBC Drama at 9pm and on MTV Lebanon at 10.10pm
Awnak
Charismatic Emirati news anchor and local news correspondent Ahmad Al Yamahi is the host of Awnak (Your Help) on Abu Dhabi TV, a show that documents the efforts, projects and initiatives of the Emirates Red Crescent across the globe.
Fans of the feel-good factor of a home makeover show for a family in need will enjoy this season’s episodes so far.
Refugees living in squalor are taken for a fun day out and accompanied on a shopping spree for new clothes, while a team of young volunteers from the Emirates Red Crescent furnish their home with new items.
One episode also dealt with launching a health awareness and vaccine campaign among children in Somalia.
The show is a perfect Ramadan fare. It’s a lesson in sacrifice, in the pleasure that comes out of bringing happiness to others and in the importance of standing by our fellow human beings when they need our help.
In our opinion, Awnak is the most inspiring sort of viewing during a month focused on holiness, kindness, caring and above all, charity and good deeds.
• Airs daily on Abu Dhabi TV, immediately after iftar, at 7.20pm
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5